Definitions

distressed

[dih-strest] / dɪˈstrɛst /

ADJECTIVE

upset

Synonyms

STRONGEST

afflicted agitated anxious distraught jittery miffed perturbed shaky troubled

STRONG

bothered bugged concerned discombobulated distracted dragged exercised harassed peeved ripped saddened shook spooked tormented wired worried wrecked

WEAK

all torn up antsy basket case bummed out bundle of nerves cut up disconsolate distrait fidgety hyper in a stew in a tizzy inconsolable jumpy shook-up shot down strung-out unconsolable unglued up the wall uptight wretched

Antonyms

STRONGEST

calm cool happy peaceful pleased untroubled

STRONG

unworried

WEAK

collected comforted glad joyful

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

MLB owners have been distressed as franchise values — ultimately, sale prices — have not appreciated as rapidly as they have in other sports.

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026

Mayor Zohran Mamdani plans to announce a new program allowing eligible distressed rent-stabilized landlords a one-time rent increase on empty units.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 26, 2026

As demand waned in the following years, companies conducted mass layoffs, leading private-equity firms to swoop in to pick over the remains of distressed assets.

From MarketWatch • May 23, 2026

Channel 4's chief executive Priya Dogra expressed sympathy to contributors who had "clearly been distressed after taking part in Married at First Sight".

From BBC • May 19, 2026

Kelton shushes me, and I know why—the distressed voice of a girl is a bleeding wound in a sea of sharks—but I don’t have time to formulate a better course of action here.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

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